Chris Mason continues to put his name in the SUNY Delhi record books. The Delhi sophomore and Auburn native recently won his second straight Division III Men's NJCAA national title in cross country, setting a precedent in the process.
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Delhi sophomore Chris Mason takes the early lead at the Men's National NJCAA Cross Country Championship in Rhode Island on Nov. 8. The Auburn native won the race, his second consecutive national title.
Delhi sophomore Chris Mason takes the early lead at the Men's National NJCAA Cross Country Championship in Rhode Island on Nov. 8. The Auburn native won the race, his second consecutive national title.
“I am the first person to win two titles in a row for Division III junior college,” Mason said. “Anything that is historic is always a big deal so it feels really great to have won again.”
Mason also led Delhi to a first-place victory at the national championships on Nov. 8 in Rhode Island.
“He has had a great career at Delhi,” Delhi coach Bob Backus said.
That incredible career includes winning the Region III Championships in October and setting the new Delhi all-time record at the 42nd annual Albany Cross Country Invitational with a time of 25:17.1. Mason also set the course record at the 11th annual Bronco Weekday 5K Classic at the Delhi Golf Course Oct. 8.
The second straight national title was just the icing on the cake, and it came as no surprise considering Mason set the course record on the Rhode Island course during the preliminaries.
“I am really running how I want to right now,” Mason said. “There is really no pressure even though I know that I am breaking records.”
Mason gives much credit to his coaches, at college and in high school.
“I work hard and I have good coaches,” Mason said. “The coaches here inspire, they believe I can do a lot and they push me forward and build my confidence. They know what they are talking about and I listen to them. I also try to keep a healthy lifestyle - eating right, exercising and getting plenty of rest.”
“He has improved a great deal,” Backus added. “He is also a good student. All of this (success) is due to his incredible work ethic. All that he has achieved is because of that. He really wants to be successful and so he is showing that in how hard he works.”
With Division I schools looking to have him studying in their halls and running on their courses, Mason will have a major decision to make soon.
“He will be in a good running program next year,” Backus said. “That is one thing we know for sure. By January he should have a better idea of where he is going but it is still early, there is still time to decide.”
One thing Mason does know for sure is that he'll be home in Auburn for Thanksgiving, which will give him another opportunity to run with his father, Wayne Mason.
“I drove five and a half hours to see him race for 20 minutes,” Wayne Mason said. “It was worth it, and I can't wait for him to come home and we will do the run here in Auburn on Thanksgiving morning. Between him and my daughter, I am very proud.”
Mason also led Delhi to a first-place victory at the national championships on Nov. 8 in Rhode Island.
“He has had a great career at Delhi,” Delhi coach Bob Backus said.
That incredible career includes winning the Region III Championships in October and setting the new Delhi all-time record at the 42nd annual Albany Cross Country Invitational with a time of 25:17.1. Mason also set the course record at the 11th annual Bronco Weekday 5K Classic at the Delhi Golf Course Oct. 8.
The second straight national title was just the icing on the cake, and it came as no surprise considering Mason set the course record on the Rhode Island course during the preliminaries.
“I am really running how I want to right now,” Mason said. “There is really no pressure even though I know that I am breaking records.”
Mason gives much credit to his coaches, at college and in high school.
“I work hard and I have good coaches,” Mason said. “The coaches here inspire, they believe I can do a lot and they push me forward and build my confidence. They know what they are talking about and I listen to them. I also try to keep a healthy lifestyle - eating right, exercising and getting plenty of rest.”
“He has improved a great deal,” Backus added. “He is also a good student. All of this (success) is due to his incredible work ethic. All that he has achieved is because of that. He really wants to be successful and so he is showing that in how hard he works.”
With Division I schools looking to have him studying in their halls and running on their courses, Mason will have a major decision to make soon.
“He will be in a good running program next year,” Backus said. “That is one thing we know for sure. By January he should have a better idea of where he is going but it is still early, there is still time to decide.”
One thing Mason does know for sure is that he'll be home in Auburn for Thanksgiving, which will give him another opportunity to run with his father, Wayne Mason.
“I drove five and a half hours to see him race for 20 minutes,” Wayne Mason said. “It was worth it, and I can't wait for him to come home and we will do the run here in Auburn on Thanksgiving morning. Between him and my daughter, I am very proud.”
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vinmeister1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:35 PM: